"I... I apologize," Riser gasped out, his voice shaky from the lingering pain. He looked toward Koneko, his earlier arrogance completely shattered.
Koneko simply nodded once, her golden eyes still wary but satisfied with the response.
Leon stood up, the blade in his hand dissolving into particles of light. "Good. Now that we've established some basic manners, let's discuss the real issue here."
He turned toward Rias, who had been watching the entire scene with a mixture of shock and fascination. Throughout Riser's entire visit, she'd felt helpless - trapped by political obligations and unable to protect her own peerage from his disgusting behavior. But Leon had handled the situation in minutes or so she thought.
"In light of your marriage with Rias. She will be challenging you to a Rating Game, Riser," Leon announced calmly. "One month from today, should you lose shall null the engagement with her."
The effect of his words was immediate and dramatic.
Both Riser and Rias's eyes widened in surprise, though their reactions couldn't have been more different.
Riser's shock quickly transformed into something approaching relief, then barely concealed excitement. A Rating Game? Against Rias's peerage? This was perfect. He knew he would win easily - his team was battle-tested and coordinated, while hers was still developing. In his mind, Leon had just handed him exactly what he wanted on a silver platter
Rias, meanwhile, felt her heart sink even as she tried to maintain her composure. She stared at Leon with a mixture of gratitude for his intervention and deep concern about what he was proposing.
"Leon, I appreciate what you're trying to do, but—" she began, her voice carrying the weight of someone who knew they were being offered false hope.
"Riser's peerage is experienced. They've been fighting together for years. My team..." she glanced at her friends, not wanting to sound like she was criticizing them. "We're still learning to work together at that level."
Leon's expression grew more serious as he studied her face. "Are you doubting me, Rias?"
The question caught her off guard. "I... what?"
"One month. I said one month would be sufficient time to prepare properly." His voice carried a quiet confidence that made everyone in the room pay attention. "Are you doubting my judgment? My ability to help you succeed?"
Rias opened her mouth to respond, then closed it again. She could see something in Leon's eyes - not arrogance, but absolute certainty. The same confidence he'd shown every time.
"I need you to trust me," Leon continued, his voice softer but no less intense. "Can you do that?"
The room fell silent as everyone waited for her answer.
Akeno stepped forward slightly. "Buchou, if this is what you want to do, we'll support you completely."
"As will I," Kiba added, his hand instinctively moving to his sword.
"Hn..Me too" Koneko also stepped forward as she held Ria's hand.
Then look back to Leon.
"Yes," she said finally, her voice growing stronger with conviction. "Yes, I trust you."
Leon smiled. "Good."
Before the conversation could continue further, the air in the room began to shimmer again. This time a silver magic circle appeared near the door.
When the silver light faded, a figure in an immaculate maid's outfit stepped through.
Grayfia Lucifuge.
Her sharp eyes quickly took in the scene before her - Riser still on his knees with golden chains wrapped around his limbs, the lingering metallic scent of blood in the air, and the obvious tension that filled every corner of the room.
"I see the situation has been... addressed," she said calmly.
"Grayfia," Rias said, unable to hide the relief in her voice. "Why are you here?"
"Sirzechs-sama was monitoring the situation through your familiar network," Grayfia explained. "When the readings indicated significant supernatural activity in this room, he asked me to investigate."
Her silver eyes turned to Leon, studying him with interest. This was her first time meeting the human who had become such a significant figure in supernatural world, and she found herself impressed despite her usual reservations about non-devils.
"You must be Leon Mishima," she said, offering a small but respectful bow. "I am Grayfia, Sirzechs-sama's Queen and head maid of the Gremory household."
"A pleasure," Leon replied with a slight nod.
Grayfia's expression softened almost imperceptibly. "I... thank you. For intervening on Rias-sama's behalf. This situation has been causing considerable distress for the family."
"I assume you heard about the Rating Game challenge?" Leon asked.
"I did. And I am prepared to serve as an official witness to the arrangement, if that is acceptable." She looked between Leon and the still-bound Riser. "The terms being a formal Rating Game between the Gremory and Phenex heirs, to be held one month from today, with the winner determining whether the engagement proceeds as planned?"
"Those are the terms," Leon confirmed.
Riser, still kneeling but finding his voice again, managed to speak up. "I... I accept the challenge."
Grayfia nodded formally. "Then it is witnessed and recorded. The Rating Game between Rias Gremory and Riser Phenex will take place in one month's time."
With a gesture from Leon, the golden chains binding Riser dissolved. The Phenex heir climbed unsteadily to his feet, his earlier swagger replaced by wariness. He was clearly eager to leave before Leon decided to conduct any more "experiments" with his regeneration.
"We should depart," Grayfia said to Riser, then turned back to Leon. "However, before we go, Sirzechs-sama would very much like to meet with you. Would you be available to visit the Gremory estate sometime this week?"
Leon's expression grew slightly more arrogant, a small smile playing at his lips. "The Mishima Corporation's doors are always open. He's welcome to visit at his convenience."
The statement caught Grayfia off guard. She had expected Leon to agree to come to them - after all, Sirzechs was one of the Four Great Satans, and it was customary for others to come to him, not the other way around.
"I... see," she said, clearly recalculating her approach. "I will convey your invitation to Sirzechs-sama."
"Please do," Leon replied pleasantly, though his tone made it clear this wasn't really a negotiation.
As Grayfia and a still-shaken Riser prepared to leave through another magic circle, the silver-haired Queen found herself reassessing Leon Mishima.
The sheer density of mana radiating from his body was staggering.
It was more than she'd ever felt from Sirzechs. More concentrated, more dangerous, more... draconic in its nature.
This wasn't just a powerful human. This was something else entirely. A monster wearing human skin.
A dragon.
For the first time in centuries, Grayfia felt genuine fear in the presence of another being.
With a flash of silver light, both devils vanished, leaving the Occult Research Club members alone with their terrifying ally and a very different understanding of what they'd gotten themselves into.
"Now then," Leon said, straightening up and addressing all of them calmly.
"There's no time to waste. I want all of you at my mansion three days from now- six AM sharp. We're starting your training immediately."
But before any of them could finish their thoughts or ask their questions, Leon was simply gone. One moment he was there, the next he had vanished without so much as a sound.
The four members of the Occult Research Club stood there in stunned silence, processing everything that had just happened.
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